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The dream of Zulaykha, from the Amber Album
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In Islamic texts, as in the Hebrew and Christian Old Testament traditions, Zulaykha is the unnamed wife of Potiphar, a wealthy Egyptian. This scene is from a popular Persian poem that recounts the story of Joseph and Zulaykha as a mystical romance, and describes her visionary dreams of a beautiful lover. In this painting we see the luxuriously dressed Zulaykha asleep on a terrace, reclining on ornate pillows as a vision of her love, Joseph, appears before her. He is illuminated by radiant light cast down by angels emerging from the dark night clouds.
| Artist / Maker | India, Mughal, 17th century |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 1670 |
| Culture / Origin | India, Mughal, 17th century |
| Medium | Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper |
| Dimensions | Page: 32 x 24.4 cm (12 5/8 x 9 5/8 in.) |
| Department | Indian and Southeast Asian Art |
| Type | Painting |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
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